Good Times in the Euro Zone

[milanbenes]

Puuurrlleeaaaaaaaase Franko,

why do we always have to start from the beginning ?

Yes Germany has high unemployment, and yes the UK has a massive percentage of people on the minimum wage - in the bigger scheme of things is there really much difference ?

Milan.

[Hart-floot]

If things are that good in Germany then are there so many germans working shelf stacking and on the check out at my local sainsbury's in sussex these days?
Spoke to one the other day, a 25yo, left schleswig holstein because her husband could not find any work there!

[Fleetwood1975]

If things are that good in Germany then are there so many germans working shelf stacking and on the check out at my local sainsbury's in sussex these days?
Spoke to one the other day, a 25yo, left schleswig holstein because her husband could not find any work there!

Maybe it's the first step in their plans for invasion?

[Hart-floot]

Thanks your probably right.
I'll let Captain Mainwaring and the Home Guard know asap.

[Lucifer Box]

Thanks your probably right.
I'll let Captain Mainwaring and the Home Guard know asap.

Just remember, don't tell him your name, Pike!

[TwoWolves]

I've found it partly true that Europe is doing well as you can argue that in the main cities there is a good quality of life, particularly if you have a family to raise. However outside these hot-spots there is massive unemployment, social decay, depression and drug addiction. My wife is from Segovia (Spain) and some visits have left me flabbergasted at the state of rural Spain. This summer we toured around France for three weeks on my motorbike and believe me the place has gone down the toilet! All they talk about on the TV there is how great the UK is and how do we become as successful!

Europe is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't like to live there (unless I was a wealthy Italian Count or something).

.. and more ..

Oh and don't confuse the strength of the Euro with weakness of the Dollar.

If you want to know where the euro will be going in the future just watch the recent news. Why do you think that Russia has pledged to defend Iran if the Israeli-Americans attack and then only weeks later there's Tony all slimy-mates with Putin? Because Russia + Satellite States have enough oil to feed Europe for decades and they are planning, when the time is right to trade in Euros. Chavez has threatened the same which is why the Americans are rattling sabre in his direction. Oil in Euros will be a lovely interest free loan, but it doesn't make a mark of success.

[wendigo100]

It's gonna be funny when the pound and euro are on a par.

It would be even funnier when firms in the Eurozone try exporting then, won't it.

Exchange rates are not the final indicator of economic strength. Look instead at things like growth, debt, balance of payments and unemployment. Europe is going downhill, but I'll concede the UK might soon be on their coat-tails.

PS Imagine pooling your wealth with Turkey, the next stop on the EU bus!

[milanbenes]

"Europe is going downhill, but I'll concede the UK might soon be on their coat-tails",

you plonker the UK is in the driving seat.

you think the UK's part timer shelf stacker powered economy is stronger than those in the Euro zone ?

Milan.

[Rebecca Loos]

Wendigo is right
A strong currency is not necessarily good - it is only good if you import more than you export, so it'd be good for Italy but not Germany for example.

However, as far as Germany is concerned, yes they do have high employment (like France) but they can afford it - top exporter worldwide! Better than the US, better than Japan. Even when the Deutschmark was strong, the exported loads. Think of all the money that is pouring into Germany - I reckon they could afford 20% unemployment if pushed. It's a bit like NZ really - as long as we have a market for our sheep, we could afford to have every non-farmer down the beach enjoying the surf.

[wendigo100]

However, as far as Germany is concerned, yes they do have high employment (like France) but they can afford it - top exporter worldwide! Better than the US, better than Japan. Even when the Deutschmark was strong, the exported loads. Think of all the money that is pouring into Germany - I reckon they could afford 20% unemployment if pushed.

Becs, where did you get this from? Top exporter? Money pouring into Germany?

The German budget deficit has been more than 3% of their GNP for the past four years. This breaks the EU's own rules (demanded by the Germans themselves!) of fiscal competence.